Genes, Brain and Behavior — journal on neurogenetics and psychiatric genetics

Scope and typical topics

The journal covers a broad spectrum of fields where genetics and neuroscience intersect. Common topics include:

• Genetic and genomic analyses of behavior, including quantitative and population genetics
• Neurogenetics: how variation in genes affects the nervous system and neural circuits
• Psychiatric genetics and the genetic contribution to mental illness and neurodevelopmental disorders
• Model organism studies (rodents, Drosophila, zebrafish) and translational human research
• Epigenetics, gene–environment interaction, transcriptomics, and emerging genomic technologies

History and organization

The journal began publication in 2002 and serves as the official outlet for the International Behavioural and Neural Genetics Society. It appears regularly in issues that collect original research, reviews and thematic special issues. Information about submission guidelines and editorial policies is available on the journal's website or publisher pages; readers and authors can consult the journal homepage for the most current details here.

Article types and audience

Genes, Brain and Behavior publishes original research articles, concise reports, comprehensive reviews and methodological papers. Its audience includes geneticists, neuroscientists, psychologists, clinical researchers and anyone interested in the genetic basis of behavior. Contributions often combine experimental, computational and clinical approaches to provide mechanistic insight or to advance translational aims.

Importance and distinguishing features

The journal is notable for integrating disciplines that range from molecular genetics to behavioral neuroscience, promoting cross-disciplinary studies that clarify how genetic variation produces differences in brain function and behavior. It highlights both basic mechanistic research and studies with potential clinical relevance, such as identifying genetic risk factors for psychiatric conditions or biomarkers linked to neural dysfunction.

Researchers seeking background on the genetics of behavior or connections between genes and brain function can find a concentrated body of work in this journal. For general introductions to the underlying fields—such as genetics more broadly—readers may consult overview sources on genetics. Additional society information, conference announcements and special collections are often announced through the society and journal channels online.